Reddit reviews Vector Basic Training: A Systematic Creative Process for Building Precision Vector Artwork

The best book ever written on typography is called The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst. I can't say enough about how important those lessons are.

Beyond that, I like two type books for InDesign: Adobe InDesign CS4 Styles and InDesign Type. If you are interested in InDesign to do type layout, these books will give you the shortcut and power user skills so you're not wasting tons of time. They focus on Paragraph and Character Styles and GREP. Pass on them if you're not interested in that aspect of design.

I also like a book called Vector Basic Training, which is less about learning Illustrator and more about developing a workflow where illustrating by hand and digital work complement each other.

I'm less excited about branding in general, but the book I sharpened my teeth on is called Integrated Branding, which does a good job of taking you through the entire process, and keeping the visual design aspects off the table until the more important work has been done. It's a solid 101 overview, though there may be better books published more recently.

Get this book. It's exactly what you're looking for. Check if your local library has it or if you can get it though interlibrary loan or something similar.

There's actually a Lynda.com video about it if you have access to it. They also have a 30 day trial you could sign up for.

For the curves solution, I recommend Vector Basic Training. Sketch, scan, refine, save your time a lot.

I highly recommend getting this book.

Your vector work is highly inconsistent, both in terms of style and in technique of chosing the right node points.

Golden ratio. might work for this logo as guidelines to the proportions of the animals etc.

Here you go:
https://www.amazon.com/Vector-Basic-Training-Systematic-Precision/dp/0321749596

In my personal experience, live trace results are never as good as the ones I trace myself with the pen tool - the lines aren't always accurate, sometimes they're weird and jagged in ways that the original image wasn't.

The image you posted would be a fantastic simple one to learn how to use the pen tool with, you should try it! Check out some tutorials on YouTube, you'll be happy you did. Being able to trace yourself just gives you so much control over your image.

Also, the book Vector Basic Training is the best book I've ever read on the creation of really slick vector graphics. The author teaches a "clock" technique that really took my own illustrations to the next level - so polished and smooth. Good luck!

I don't think that there is a better book about learning any of the vector drawing apps that Vector Basic Training. It is pretty much a book that is set on teaching how to use bezier curves better than anything else.